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QUAKER HILL 

(lOCAl IIISTOBY) 

S E R I E S 



X. l^ntient llomej; anb 
€arlj» ©apsf of 
0mUt l^ill 



BY 

AMANDA AKIN STEARNS 



ANCIENT HOMES 
AND EARLY DAYS 
OF QUAKER HILL 



BY 

AMANDA AKIN STEARNS 



READ AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 

QUAKER HILL CONFERENCE, AUGUST THE 

FIFTEENTH, NINETEEN HUNDRED 

AND THREE 



SECOND EDITION 



Published for the Akin Free Library by the Akin Hall 

AssocL\TioN, Quaker Hill, New York 

1913 



TT?q 



PiiMicatiOBs 

Of the Quaker Hill Conference Association 

A Critical Study of the Bible, by Rev. Newton M. 
Hall of Springfield, Mass. 

The Relation of the Church at Home to the 
Church Abroad, by Rev. George William Knox, D. D., 
of New York. 

A Tenable Theory of Biblical Inspiration, by 
Prof. Irving Francis Wood of Northampton, Mass. 

The Book Farmer, by Edward H. Jenkins, Ph. D., of 
New Haven, Conn. 

LOCAL HISTORY SERIES 

David Irish — A Memoir, by his daughter, Mrs. 
Phoebe T. Wanzer of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Quaker Hill in the Eighteenth Century, by Rev. 
Warren H. Wilson of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Quaker Hill in the Nineteenth Century, by Rev. 
Warren H. Wilson of Brooklj-n, N. Y. 

Hiram B. Jones and His School, by Rev. Edward L. 
Chichester of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Richard Osborn — A Reminiscence, by Margaret B, 
Monahan of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Albert J. Akin — A Tribute, by Rev. Warren H. 
Wilson of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Ancient Homes and Early Days at Quaker Hill, 
by Amanda Akin Steams of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Thomas Taber and Edward Shove — A Reminis- 
cence, by Rev. Benjamin Shove of New York. 

Any one of these publications may be had by address- 
ing the Librarian 

AKIN FREE LIBRARY, 

Quaker HiU, N. Y. 
Price, 20 cts. 



ANCIENT HOMES 

AND EARLY DAYS OF 

QUAKER HILL 



But few words in any language touch 
the heart with a more thrilling, sacred emo- 
tion than the word Home. Can there be 
a soul so dead, that does not burn and 
quicken at the thought of what that stands 
for! No wonder that John Howard Payne 
immortalized himself when he wrote. 

Be it ever so humble. 
There's no place like home. 

Let US then try to put on record some sketch, 
faint though it be, of the early homes 
which have stood for so many years under 
the maples, by the old orchards and 
waysides of Quaker Hill. Though the 
grass has grown green for years over the 
graves of those who founded them, yet 
many stand firm on their foundations, 
defying Time and the elements, and for 
others the faithful **Well," still left, grimly 
tells the story that here was once a home. 



On the northern boundary of our Hill, 
turning to the east from the long highway, 
we find the Taber Homestead, located on 
one of the earliest grants of land in Oblong, 
made by King George the Third in 1760, 
conveying the title of five hundred acres 
of land to Thomas Taber, which has 
ever since been in the possession of his 
descendants. His son Jeremiah, born there 
two years later, became, like his father, a 
farmer by occupation, prominent in affairs, 
also in the Society of Friends. His fourth 
child, William, came into possession of 
two hundred and sixty acres by inherit- 
ance and buying out the other heirs. His 
elder son, William Henry Taber, has spent 
the greater part of his life on the old es- 
tate, and for the last forty years has had 
the entire ownership, so it has never been 
allowed to deteriorate. It has always kept 
one old-time, unique feature: the lane bor- 
dered with trees leading to the house, 
which gives it a distinctive character, 
and of which only three, I think, are 
left in this neighborhood. The tradition, 
that officers of General Washington's army 
were quartered in this house in the autumn 
of 1778, is not to be doubted. 

Returning to the highway, we come to 
4 



the debris of a home founded by Joseph 
Seeley in 1834. Having previously estab- 
lished a home, and successful hat factory, 
he built his new house at much cost of labor 
and expense in those days, of which the 
high ceilings and mahogany doors, real 
and imitation, and within the oil portraits 
of himself and wife, the latter in double 
bordered cap, are still remembered, as 
well as its chief ornaments, the daughters 
and sons which there grew to a remark- 
able stature of womanhood and manhood. 
Only one of them is now living, and 
though like the wise man of the Bible, 
the founder built on a ledge of rocks, the 
quicksands of time have obliterated almost 
every vestige of it. 

We come next to the Oseorn Home- 
stead, where six generations of that name 
have lived, which was so accurately and 
beautifully described in a paper read here 
last year, it is needless for me to say aught 
of it. 

Looking for "Ancient Homes" we come 
next to the site of the ancient Pcckham 
house. As tradition tells us that the Mar- 
quis de La Fayette, America's good friend 
in her time of need, dwelt here for a time 



during the memorable year of 1778, it 
must have been built near the middle of 
the eighteenth century. It is described by 
one who remembers it "as of brick, long 
and low, with dormer windows fronting the 
west and very quaint." It is supposed to 
have been built by the first of the Peckham 
family who settled there. James is the old- 
est one on record, whose son, Daniel, for a 
time kept the memorable store on the cor- 
ner below. Elihu, a bachelor, was killed, 
being thrown from a load of wood, his 
horses becoming unmanageable. It is 
thought no other family lived there until 
purchased by Richard Osborn, who re- 
placed it with the one now standing, using 
some of the bricks, which had withstood 
the wear of more than a century, for his 
chimneys. 

Next on the corner, where a road to the 
east intersects the highway, stood another 
house of much interest. It has been kindly 
described to me by Miss Craft, as photo- 
graphed on her memory when a child. I 
quote from her letter: "It was a pleasant 
old home to me; seemed very large, with 
rooms innumerable, and I think the great 
hall with its two outside doors (half doors, 
they were), one opening to the south, and 



the other to the west under the maples, 
would be considered even now quite at- 
tractive. The long eastern roof sloped low 
to the ground, very quaint and picturesque. 
I well remember three great outside doors, 
in a row, on the east side, leading into as 
many rooms." It is thought to have been 
built on a portion of the Peckham property 
upon which they settled when first coming 
to Quaker Hill, but by whom cannot be 
ascertained. It is well known that it stood 
there during the War of the Revolution, 
and there was always a "store" adjoining it, 
as the stories of the "Raids" of the Tories 
or "Cowboys" hiding in the vicinity so 
well-remembered, attest. Tradition tells 
that one Daniel Davis kept the store at that 
interesting period, others are disposed to 
believe that Benjamin Ferris was at that 
time the interested proprietor, as he was 
once present on such an occasion, and so 
far forgot his non-resistant principles as to 
cry out "Seize the Rascals." Mrs. Craft 
remembers that about the year 1815 it was 
owned and occupied by John Merritt, the 
son of Daniel, the son of Nehemiah, the 
first settler of that name. From him it 
passed into other hands, until purchased by 
James Craft from a man named Whitely, 
and with his wife, Margaret Toffey, he made 



it their home until 1851, when he replaced 
it with the one she now occupies. 

In 1758 Nehemiah Merritt, the pioneer 
of the family, came to "Oblong" (now 
called Quaker Hill) from Rye, Westchester 
County, and purchased five hundred acres 
of land under a grant from King George the 
Third. It is believed by his descendants 
that this tract of land extended from the 
Park Haviland farm north, on the east 
side of the highway, nearly to the See- 
ley place. He located his house, a long, 
low one, near a fine spring, now historic as 
the source of the Croton, in a retired spot 
out of sight of the highway. The lane that 
led to it is still to be seen, a part of the 
Hoag farm. Only one of his sons, Daniel, 
remained on the Hill, who, in 1764, built a 
dwelling house and store combined on the 
south corner of the intersecting east road, 
the same year that the Friends' Meeting- 
house was built on the present site opposite. 
It was a substantial building of the olden 
style. A square, two-story house, on a 
side hill, with a high roof front and sloping 
back, oak plank outside, leaving the frame 
to be exposed and cased on the inside. A 
central hall with the living rooms on the 
south side and store on the north, a small, 



uncovered porch at the front, with stone 
steps leading down to the gate. It was 
painted the Colonial yellow, with red roof. 
Daniel continued merchandizing there 
through the Revolution, but at his death in 
1805 his son David, who inherited the 
home, eliminated the store, and joined his 
brother John who had purchased the old 
home and store on the opposite corner, 
and continued the business under the firm 
of J. and D. Merritt for twenty years, when 
the store was sold to Daniel Peckham and 
John removed to Cayuga County, New 
York. This ancient house, built by Daniel 
the first, was replaced by the present one, 
erected by David Merritt 's younger son 
George soon after his marriage in 1847, af- 
terward purchased by Herman Bancroft, 
now owned by Miss Rachel Swan. The 
demise of the old home was fittingly cele- 
brated on the occasion of a wedding re- 
ception, when George brought his bride 
to be presented to his friends and neigh- 
bors, by one of the fiercest autumnal storms 
our Hill can put on record, when only one 
man of dire necessity, ventured out of the 
house before the dawn of day. The only 
patriotic event connected with this house 
occurred during the Revolution, at the time 
the Friends' Meeting-house was used for 



a hospital. Some officers occupied the 
parlor, but were not obtrusive. We are 
much indebted for so full a report of the 
family, to this George Merritt, who adds 
for himself: "I am the oldest living Merritt, 
born on Quaker Hill, and the last and old- 
est of my generation;'* and speaking of his 
attachment to Quaker Hill, says, "Who 
could live more than thirty years on Qua- 
ker Hill (as it was) and not carry through 
life a love for its hills, its people and their 
happy surroundings." 

The home of Benjamin Ferriss, the pio- 
neer settler of 1730 (a long two-story house 
sloping back), is still remembered as being 
located in the pleasant meadow, west of 
Mrs. Craft's house. This land probably 
extended north to the first cross road, as 
he gave that corner lot for a cemetery. He 
was still living when Nehemiah (the Mer- 
ritt pioneer) died in 1794. Tradition says 
he built the ancient house, still standing 
just below the site of his old home, proba- 
bly for his son, Reed Ferris, who made his 
first home there in the latter part of the 
eighteenth century. The "clock story" as 
related by Daniel Akin verifies that fact. 
This tall Dutch clock stood in the corner of 
the front hall until he removed it to his 
10 



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new home below the Hill; when that was 
broken up it became the property of his 
granddaughter, Margaret Akin Vander- 
burgh. After her death, her son John 
James, who married Caroline Merritt, 
brought it back to its old corner. It is 
now the property of his nephew, and is 
still ticking off the years, which it has done 
for more than a century. — Daniel Merritt 
(the second), brother of David, inherited the 
old homestead of his grandfather Nehemiah, 
(then standing on the Hoag farm), and 
with his wife, Martha Akin, made it their 
home for eight years, until 1813, when he 
bought this place opposite his brother's of 
Richard Draper, a retired sea captain (Reed 
Ferriss having left it forty years previous), 
with about thirty acres of land, to which 
in the next year, his wife's father, Isaac 
Akin, added a gift of ninety-two and a 
half acres, and together, Daniel and Martha 
formed an ideal home. They were devoted 
members of the Hicksite Branch of Friends, 
and their hospitality was so prov^erbial, no 
one was surprised on the first day of Quar- 
terly Meeting in August, to see both of the 
gates put wide open, inviting strangers and 
friends to enter and lodge or partake of the 
bountiful fare provided. To give you an 
idea of their beautiful and exemplary livCvS 

11 



and home I will quote from an obituary 
written on the death of the last of their 
seven children, after which the home passed 
into the hands of the present owners. In 
the death of Caroline Merritt Vanderburgh 
we recognize the passing away of the last 
of a family that for more than a century 
have occupied homesteads on Quaker Hill. 
Her father, Daniel Merritt, whose name to 
his neighbors and acquaintances was but 
another term for Christian hospitality and 
integrity, and her mother, who exem- 
plified in character and manner the best 
type of the religious training of the Society 
of Friends, seemed to have bequeathed to 
their home and children the spell of their 
honored lives. The same serenity of man- 
ner through joy and sorrow, the same in- 
herent sense of duty and the proprieties of 
life, had been theirs, and none has "kept 
their memory green" better than she, as 
mistress of the old home for more than thir- 
ty years. Even those most familiar never 
entered its doors unconscious of its wel- 
coming atmosphere; what wonder then 
that strangers found an undefined charm 
where such calm and quiet harmony pre- 
vailed. Such a home deserves an epitaph 
•and should be embalmed in our memories. 

12 



Next, on the east side of the highway, 
once stood the home of Park Haviland. As 
the hearthstone there must have been laid 
near the close of the eighteenth century, it 
might then have been considered a repre- 
sentative house, though only a story and a 
half, with a great chimney and a "lean-to/' 
Certainly the beautiful meadow around it, 
and the fine farm he owned, would seem to 
indicate that he could have made it more 
pretentious if his ideas of thrift allowed, or 
the fashion of the time required. At least 
one of his three sons was successful. 
George, the eldest, who married Caroline, 
the handsome daughter of Jeptha Sabin, 
and succeeded to his father-in-law's estate, 
which was on the eastern boundary of 
Quaker Hill at the terminus of the Beek- 
man and Pawling Turnpike. 

Near this point on the secluded road 
leading south, we must look for the homes 
best known as belonging to Daniel and 
Akin TofTey. Of the former there is noth- 
ing left of the once pleasant home, photo- 
graphed on many memories, but a "well" 
and a few stones. It was built by a bach- 
elor, Timothy Akin, for himself and his un- 
married sister, Margaret, about the year 
1805. When another sister Olive Hal- 

13 



loway, died, he adopted her infant daugh- 
ter, Betsey, who in time became the wife 
of Daniel Toffey, but was only for a few 
years allowed to leave the home; so when 
Uncle Timothy advanced in years (as the 
custom in those days) arranged a special 
room and comforts for himself, the younger 
couple became master and mistress. The 
former was always active and generous as 
well as progressive in his tastes, and served 
one term in the State Legislature. The 
gentle mistress, given to hospitality and 
good works, was much beloved, and those 
of their children who made their homes 
here were active, enterprising and most 
useful members of the community. After 
the marriage of their youngest daughter the 
place was sold, when it soon deteriorated 
and a fire finished its existence. Of that 
daughter, who became the wife of one of 
our naval heroes (Rear- Admiral John 
L. Worden) so lately with us, now so far 
beyond our sight, we can scarcely trust 
ourself here to speak. From early woman- 
hood, whether here or away, she was never 
weaned from Quaker Hill. Though much 
of the joy of life came to her, she met its 
sorrows and vicissitudes with the same 
brave, cheerful spirit; her nature drank 
in the sunlight of life, and she found it 

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where others would have seen nothing 
but clouds, ready always to impart it to 
others in her gracious manner and sweet- 
ly toned voice. One of a circle from 
which many links have dropped to earth, 
none can be more missed or regretted. 
As Death is but the gate to a Higher Life, 
we will remember her as the same, only 
transfigured, and waiting for us "Beyond 
the Gate." 

The Akin Toffey Home, lonely as it may 
appear from a twentieth century point of 
view, was one of great activity, filled with 
a family of eight children who grew to 
maturity and took their part bravely of 
what life had to offer, but of whom only 
one is now living. 

Returning to the highway from which 
we diverged — on the west side — we find 
the old home, familiarly called the Birdsall 
house, which, considering its age, still 
looks imposing, its oak beams defying Time. 
If the spirits which haunt every house 
wherein men have lived and died could 
speak, they would probably tell many an 
interesting story of those who have dwelt 
here; at least they might decide for us 
whether Nathan Birdsall, who is recorded 

15 



as having settled on land in this vicinity as 
early as 1728, first occupied this house or 
Benjamin Akin, who it is remembered was 
living there at the time his daughter became 
the wife of Moses Wanzer, who taking his 
bride to their home near New Milford left 
the house with a wedding procession on 
horseback. We have the authority of 
Albro Haines, who spent his long life near 
and purchased it fifty years ago, that Ben- 
jamin the grandson of David, the pioneer 
settler, built the house. His land continued 
south, and west of the old stone bridge and 
the graves of his two sons who died of 
smallpox are to be seen by the driveway 
leading out to the road near Leonard Lyon's 
place, still respected. This house and the 
land about it were bought by John and 
David Merritt from one Henry Birdsall, as 
well as the land belonging to Benjamin 
Akin who moved to Greenbush, near Al- 
bany. The oak beams of the older Birdsall 
house are still preserved and utilized in the 
garret of this one. George Merritt, having 
inherited it from his father David, sold it to 
Albro Haines, who in turn gave it to his 
daughter, Mary Lyon, with the new house 
next to it which he afterward built for his 
family. 

10 



The next house, now owned by Mrs. E. 
M. Scott, was a home founded in the early 
part of the nineteenth century by Davis 
Marsh, a blacksmith by profession, with 
his forge adjacent. All kinds of farming 
tools and guns were included in his work, 
and it is said that the stroke of his trip 
hammer "could be heard miles away." 
Two brawny sons, Daniel and Marshall, 
are remembered as being types in embryo 
of their father's interesting trade. It was 
sold to Asahel, another son of Park Havi- 
land, who with his wife made it their 
home for a time. Some years of neglect 
followed their departure and it passed into 
the ownership of Patrick Flanigan, of whom 
it was purchased by the present summer 
occupant, who has not only retained and 
accentuated its old-time character, but has 
added an artistic charm which arrests and 
welcomes both friends and strangers. 

Now we descend the slight elevation and 
cross the stone bridge (that veritable land- 
mark for any native of Quaker Hill) but 
cannot pass unrecognized the Grove on the 
east side, where once stood the school- 
house, a small, square, unpainted building 
with its huge open stove within, still re- 
membered by many who conned their first 
lessons there, and made noteworthy by the 

17 



first teacher, Lydia Halloway, specially 
educated by her uncle — a woman of excep- 
tional ability, both loved and feared by 
her pupils. The revolving globe in a 
stand, which was used to teach them that 
the earth was round and did move, is still 
preserved by the family of the man who fur- 
nished it. She was a worthy cotemporary 
of Hiram Jones of the Academy, who with 
others was invited to be present on exami- 
nation days at the close of the term, when 
the pupils in Sunday attire, primed with 
questions from Grimshaw's histories, etc., 
would try with laudable ambition to do 
their teacher credit, or make their first ef- 
fort in public speaking by reciting "Marco 
Bozzaris" or ''Casabianca." Only the 
huge maple trees stand as of old, guarding 
the ravine, where the girls made their play- 
houses during intermission while the boys 
played ball on the plateau above. 

On land adjoining to the south once stood 
the home of John Briggs, of whom George 
Kirby, the grandfather of Miss Fannie Kir- 
by, purchased it in 1788. Though every 
vestige of the house and barns disappeared 
many years since, and he removed to a 
larger farm below the Hill; the land is still 
in the family, being held by two of his 
great-grandchildren. 

18 



We come next to the home of Albert J. 
Akin, not so ancient as those we have re- 
corded, being built for him by his father as 
late as 1836, of which with his wife, a year 
after his marriage, he took possession, and 
made it their home for sixty-five years. 
His busy life, and all that he accomplished, 
has been so often recorded, it is needless for 
me to repeat. Though of late years he 
passed the winter in town, nothing could 
curb his impatience to return to the place 
where his interest and affection were cen- 
tered. When the glory of our last Autumn 
had faded, he crossed its threshold, and 
though Spring came to brighten the hills 
and call out the flowers he did not return; 
he had passed to his Eternal Home. 

Looking across the sloping meadow to 
the east, half way up the hill beyond on a 
small plateau, once stood the home of 
Joseph Peckham. Only one story, un- 
painted, with a steep roof, a row of window 
panes over the front door with a hood over 
it, but with a "Well" at its side, whose 
long sweep to which was attached "The 
Old Oaken Bucket," and from its command- 
ing situation it made an artistic picture 
which two embryo artists delighted to 
sketch. We have no record of the founder 
until 1818, when he and his wife Ruth sold 

19 



it with the land belonging (one hundred 
and thirty-one and three-quarter acres and 
twenty- two rods) to Albro Akin. No one 
seems to have remembered the barns which 
must have been necessary to receive the 
harvest of so much land, and Time with 
its relentless scythe may have taken a 
part of the house. When the cholera was 
epidemic in New York in the summer 
of 183£, a niece of the owner with her 
young family gladly took refuge there and 
enjoyed it immensely, though under prim- 
itive conditions. It was kept in repair for 
a tenant house, and one John Brady and 
his wife, Ellen, came from Ireland (I think 
without stopping by the way) and both 
proved such worthy ones and such good 
and useful neighbors, that they never left it 
until their children came, grew to maturity, 
and after a time left the nest, seeking their 
fortunes elsewhere. John was the intelli- 
gent and faithful gardener for the whole 
neighborhood, kept his own counsel and 
let Ellen, who, unlikfe her husband, was 
typical of her race, do the talking. 

According to the custom of their native 
land, they gave their children the names of 
those to whom they felt indebted, or who 
might in a strange land, in the uncertain 
future, take some interest in their success. 

20 




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So Edward Merritt Brady, Mary Ann Mer- 
ritt Brady, Albert Akin Brady and Abigail 
Hurd Brady lived and prospered, much re- 
spected wherever they made a home. 
When the old house was no longer tenable 
John built a small one for himself and Ellen, 
and for their children to visit them on the 
top of the hill, which is still standing, where 
they spent the remainder of their lives, and 
long since received the welcome, "Well 
done, thou good and faithful servant," etc. 

On the land adjoining stands what is 
known as the Sherman Home, built by 
Hiram Sherman the wagonmaker, or his 
father, Abiel, whose home purchased from 
one of the Briggs Brothers, formerly stood 
near. We know that the latter relegated 
his trade to his son, and that both were no- 
tably good workmen. Another fact we find 
recorded that Abiel served in the State 
Legislature for the years 1816-17, and it is 
believed he was head carpenter in the build- 
ing of the now historic Friends' Meeting- 
house. The shops of his son, Hiram, as 
they stood on the east side of the highway 
a little to the north, were a daily resort for 
the neighboring men as a news exchange, 
as well as a repair hospital for disabled 
wagons and farming implements. His son, 

£1 



Hiram the Second, inherited the place and 
lived there some years with his young wife, 
but later sold it, when it became a part of 
the Albert Akin Farm. 

We now come to the ancient Akin 
Homes. David Akin, the pioneer settler 
of 1742, came from Dartmouth, Bristol 
County, Mass., bringing his family of ten 
children. He located his home on land 
later owned by Albert J. Akin west of his 
house, near the new road leading to Ham- 
mersley Lake, only remembered by the 
"Well," and as being designated the "Old 
House Lot." His eldest son John brought 
his wife with him, and made his home near 
the east road leading toward the home of 
Miss Fannie Kirby. Only a fine "spring" 
with a stone cover marks the location, well 
known to the haymakers who continue to 
test its purity. The house is remembered 
and described by Mrs. Polly Thomas as a 
long, low building, with dormer windows. 
He later made a home on the site, which 
after many years became the property of 
his grandson, Daniel Akin. To that home, 
of which a "Well" alone remains to mark 
the spot, his eldest son John brought his 
wife Molly Ferriss Akin, and lived until a 
later home was built a short distance from 

22 



it, about the year 1796. John the Third 
died in 1810, leaving the new home to his 
youngest son Daniel, with a careful and 
generous provision for his wife who lived 
to the age of ninety-two years, and whose 
special room was the visiting place for all 
her children and grandchildren. In a me- 
morial of the Ferris family we find an in- 
cident of her life illustrative of her strong 
character recorded thus: *'In the Family 
Records belonging to John Akin Ferriss, 
Jr. (late of Troy), there is a note to the 
effect that this Molly Ferriss Akin was the 
heroine of a certain incident wherein it is 
related that Molly Akin, while in the camp 
of the British soldiers, evading (or during 
the absence of) the oflBcer on guard, load- 
ed and fired a gun for the purpose, and 
with the effect, of warning the American 
Army and informing them of the location 
of their enemy." 

This house is well remembered being of 
two stories, with wide hall through it and 
two rooms on either side; the kitchen part 
afterwards remodelled was only a story 
and attic. To this home Daniel brought 
his wife, Sally Howard, where they spent 
their married life of nearly half a century. 
At one corner of his grounds where the 
highway was shaded by two huge black 



walnut trees, he built a store for general 
merchandise, and continued the business 
there for many years. He became one of 
the County Judges of the Court of Common 
Pleas, when his older brother, who had 
been appointed for life by Governor Tomp- 
kins, resigned in his favor and he filled the 
office until the law was passed to make such 
appointments by vote. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature for 1826 and 
later in 1833. On the marriage of his 
eldest daughter he gladly gave the care of 
the place over to her and her husband, 
David R. Gould; being of social and Hter- 
ary tastes in which his wife shared, together 
they made an attractive home. In the year 
1872 the house was burned, taking fire 
from an overheated furnace, which in the 
progressive spirit of the times had been put 
in, after which Mrs. Gould rebuilt on the 
same foundations. 



24 



Let us return to the year 1801 when 
Albro, the eldest son of John Akin (3d), 
having married Paulina Vanderburgh, 
founded their home on land given him by 
his father on the opposite side of the high- 
way. The house, built in the Colonial 
style of that time had at first a small cov- 
ered porch; after forty years that was re- 
placed by the long piazza with an upper 
balcony; when forty-seven more years 
had elapsed, marking the march of time 
and fashion, the present one took its place, 
when the rear, formerly a story and a half, 
was also rebuilt. For a short time the tra- 
ditional *'store" was attached to the house 
on the south end, which during the War 
of 1812 was an exceptionally busy corner, 
a large warehouse being built near to re- 
ceive supplies, etc. Later the "store" was 
removed intact; an addition being made 
to the house, on its space — and eventually 
reached the corner where the Akin Library 
is now located, and was used for many 
years as a tenant house. This home now 
belongs to his daughters, who still make it 
their summer residence. 

To speak of this home without revealing 
the strong character of the founder, whose 
broad and public-spirited views made him 
appear (in those restricted days) almost 

i5 



"patriarchal," would be impossible. Such 
men, at that time, were needed and the 
demand brought them to the front. Only 
ten years had elapsed before his home was 
shadowed by death and his young wife was 
taken from him. As the death of his fa- 
ther occurred in the same year, the care of 
his sisters and brother was added to that of 
his household. In time, another mistress 
came to preside over the home and mother 
the three children, but only a few years 
passed ere the Angel of Death called her 
away and the hearth and home of the mas- 
ter were again desolate. But a kind Prov- 
idence had not forgotten him, and later 
there came one to comfort and remain with 
him until the end of his long life, one whose 
loving and patient care was given to all 
within that home as freely and impartial as 
the air of heaven. As far as duty was 
concerned there was no difference to her 
between her own children and the mother- 
less ones she found there. As her annals 
may never be written (except by the Re- 
cording Angel), you will, I trust, pardon 
me the gratification of recording here two 
notable instances of her unselfish devotion 
to duty. Leaving her own young children 
to the care of others, she took the charge 
of the eldest daughter through that dreaded 

26 



disease, the smallpox, and afterwards of a 
young colored woman living in the house, 
who, in spite of warnings, was led by curi- 
osity to get in the invalid's room and soon 
had a closer knowledge of it than desired. 
A man who was employed on the farm at 
that time went home to his family to find 
the door barred against him, and was 
obliged to return and have his meals served 
in a building adjoining. 

To the other daughter, when desperate- 
ly ill in New York, she again left her nu- 
merous young family and made the journey 
in the depths of winter, when one was 
obliged to go in a sleigh to Croton Falls to 
meet the railway, and with her efficient 
care assisted in restoring he^ to health. The 
care and affection so freely given, I am glad 
to say, was warmly returned, especially by 
the younger daughter, who always regard- 
ed her as if an own mother, having known 
no other. 

To this home the eldest son, Albert, 
brought his bride in the winter of 18S5, 
where they lived a year, while their house 
was being built. No one ever heard a note 
of complaint from the young mother, with 
her numerous household; gentle of speech 
and of an unruffled temper, she was a fair 
exponent of the dbcipline of Friends and 

«7 



possessed that calmness and peace of mind 
which has been said *'to come from their 
faith in God's habitation in all things, so 
that when events come with the moment 
His presence is recognized in them.'* I 
might add here what the French author, 
Lamartine, said of his mother: "She closed 
the fair Book of Youth with three words — 
God, Husband, Children." 

It is needless for me to repeat what has 
been already said of the executive talent of 
the master of this home, or note its hospital- 
ity, which was then considered a matter 
of religious faith. He served for over twen- 
ty years as County Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas, was a member of the State 
Legislature as early as 1808, when only 
thirty years of age, and later for 1820-21, 
when he succeeded in establishing a per- 
manent mail route, across the Hill from 
Poughkeepsie to New Milford, and natural- 
ly was made Postmaster for many years. 
He was one of the promoters of the Beekman 
and Pawling Turnpike, and what should 
be reckoned as of more importance, was al- 
ways the enterprising, generous towns- 
man, and in his home, where his word was 
law, the indulgent and affectionate husband 
and father. The old home and trees stand 

28 



as a memorial of him, but his best monu- 
ment is enshrined in the hearts of his chil- 
dren. 

A little farther to the south, at the junc- 
tion of the four roads, stood a home so 
ancient that the only knowledge of its 
first founder has been ascertained through a 
deed of the land belonging to it, when it 
was purchased by John Akin, 2d, of one 
Cornelius Flamen in 1758, the thirty-first 
year of the reign of His Majesty, King 
George the Second, His father, Cornelius, 
who came from Rye, Westchester County, 
must have been one of the earliest settlers. 
He died intestate, and his son sold the 
place, containing seventy-eight and three- 
quarter acres of land for one hundred and 
ninety-seven pounds. The land was given 
by "Will" to John's two daughters: Ann, 
the wife of Thomas Worth, and Abagail, 
who married John Toffey in 1776. As a 
"quit claim" to it was given by Ann 
(when she and her husband removed to 
Hudson) to her sister, Abagail, in 1780, it 
is presumed the latter with her husband 
made it their home at that time, and he 
also located his business of hat-making. 

It is best remembered by the elder ones of 

29 



the present generation as the home of John, 
one of the five sons and Esther, his wife. 
It was a long, low house, painted red, 
showing even then the ravages of Time, 
as the large room to the east could only be 
used in midsummer. A north door, which 
commanded the pleasant outlook, was 
opened at May-time and closed only at 
night until Autumn; where everyone, high 
and low, felt an equal right to enter, and 
received the same welcome. It would be 
impossible to give one an idea of **Aunt 
Esther," as she was universally named, in 
a few words. Her conversational talent 
and intuitive knowledge of human nature, 
would have made her a marked personality 
in any position, and everyone loved her. 
The wonderful tufted mittens she knit in 
winter, with her Bible by her side in the 
basket of woolen balls, and many lovable 
peculiarities are no doubt well remembered. 
Quite late in life, after a severe illness, 
she commenced rhyming her reminiscent 
thoughts for the first time. Some verses 
she wrote at the age of fifty-eight, en- 
titled "A Reverie of Fifty Years Ago," are 
so appropriate to my theme I must give 
them a place here. 



30 



"A REVERIE OF FIFTY YEARS AGO' 



Where is the old schoolhouse where I used to play 
The grey-haired teacher, children, where are they? 
It's fifty years since first I came to thee; 
A half a century — memory, can it be'-* 



All things are changed. 

The sun rose sooner then; went down more slow; 

The wind blew higher on the drifting snow; 

Thunder came louder, fifty years ago. 

As candle burning in the socket low. 
So seems my life to fifty years ago. 

For sage and wisdom youth was no defect. 
The boy was measured by his intellect. 
In his deep thinking could he science scan. 
Old Uncle Jonah thought the boy a man. 
In conversation conned all hoped and fears. 
Kept no deep mystery back for riper years. 
At noonings when the children went to play 
Old Uncle Jonah slept the time away. 
Or ate his favorite Hash, so poor and thin. 
When some rude boy had slipped a snowball in. 

How often have I trudged a mile or mori*. 
And found an entrance at the open door. 
With little sled, a two-fold end in view — 
To ride down hill and draw my basket too. 
To get my lessons, and their words defined, 
A mighty struggle in the march of mind. 

1 see old Jonah now, on oaken floor 

Walk back and forth, as he did days of yore; 

31 



With equal love for all in every state. 

His only wish, to make us good and great. 

Sometimes he seemed enwrapped in deepest spell, 

So very deep, he none of us could tell. 

That very charm rests on my spirit now. 

That lent a glory to his aged brow; 

That stirred the waters in my youthful breast, 

And nerved my heart to reach a high behest; 

The billowy foam, which o'er my soul did break, 

Now seems a ripple, on a waveless lake. 

All things are changed; 
The girls seem fairer backward as I go; 
The boys much smarter, "Fifty Years Ago." 

John Toffey (second) removing his 
father's hat factory, no longer used, built 
his store adjoining the house on the west. 
At the Post Office was lodged there, at 
three p. m. every other afternoon, it was 
the rallying point of the neighborhood, 
whose greatest daily emotion was the 
arrival of the Poughkeepsie stage, not 
only to get their mail, but to hear what 
news Isaiah McKibben (that notable 
stage driver of the old-time type), brought, 
and to see who were the occupants of the 
stage. The present house was built when 
the old one was no longer habitable, by 
the husband of one of the daughters, Ann 
Hayes, who was always the mother's 
devoted companion. Even those who 
came in late years to know her, can fully 

32 



understand that the mother's heart, so 
full of sympathy and affection for every 
one, was her rightful inheritance. They 
sleep side by side under the green turf of 
the little "God's Acre," within sight of 
the Home, where they spent their entire 
lives. 

We must not omit to mention that 
tradition tells that Waite Vaughn, the 
chief est of all bandit leaders of the Revo- 
lutionary days, in these parts, drew his 
last breath in the large room of this house, 
used for a kitchen. When mortally 
wounded by Captain Pearce (the brother 
of the man he had so brutally put to 
death) in an ambush near the David Irish 
home, he was brought to this house, and 
his mother came here, to take a last look 
of her wayward son and see him decently 
taken to his last resting-place in a little 
cemetery, in sight, on the Akin Farm. 

Turning to the East, we would note in 
passing the spring, near which stood the 
home which John Akin (second) left to 
his daughter, Ann, that for a time she and 
her husband Thomas Worth, made it their 
home, and that he was the one to whom, 
with a few others, Dr. James Fallon gave 
credit for some charitable assistance, when 

33 



he was left in charge of the sick soldiers 
in the Meeting House, after the departure 
of the Continental Army. The knowledge 
of his home here was revealed to our 
father some fifty years since, by a visit 
from his son, Gorham Akin Worth, who, 
driving out from Poughkeepsie, appeared 
one day before our home, and when his 
loud knock was responded to, said *'I am 
Gorham Akin Worth, and these are my 
two daughters. I have come to make the 
acquaintance of my cousins and revisit my 
birthplace." From his energetic tempera- 
ment and decided manner, one can believe 
that his father could have easily determined 
what part to take in a crisis, and hold his 
ground, undismayed by opposing thought. 

Continuing east, we find a home, which 
though not an ancient one was built more 
than sixty years ago by George Toffey, 
son of Daniel, who brought his bride 
there, and lived some years until his busi- 
ness took him elsewhere. It was pur- 
chased by Clark Kirby, one of the sons 
of George, the early settler, whose family 
became so identified with the place; it is 
now generally known as the Kirby Home. 

Si 



At the top of the Hill, east of it, a few 
years later, Charles Wing, a grandson of 
the pioneer Abraham built himself a home, 
which has now passed into other hands. 

Returning to the Crossways and con- 
tinuing south, we come to the home found- 
ed by William Henry Akin in 1846, and 
though comparatively modern, we pause 
to speak of one, whose lovely character 
and many gifts, made it such a happy 
one for her husband, and so attractive 
to their hosts of friends, but who, after 
a few brief years, faded like a flower in 
the chilling winds of Autumn, and passed 
to the "Home not made with hands, 
Eternal in the Heavens." The house and 
land were sold, and later, after passing 
through other hands, was purchased by 
George Toffey, who after retiring from 
business returned to the scenes of his early 
years to spend the evening of life, gladly 
welcomed by his old friends and neighbors; 
his family at once becoming active and 
most generous participants in the advance- 
ment of the place. 

Just below, on the west side, there still 
stands a home (formerly red, now repaint- 
ed), which though humble we might call 

35 



both "Ancient and Honorable," for in years 
gone by there dwelt Stephen Riggs and 
his wife, Minerva. Stephen was a silent 
man, and though an important personage 
in the neighborhood (being the only shoe- 
maker in the place) bore his honors meek- 
ly; his wife * 'lived up" to her name, and 
their children prospered. One daughter, 
having proved herself a bright pupil of the 
notable teacher before mentioned, was con- 
sidered able to take her place when relin- 
quished. The handsome son, George, be- 
came the hero of a pretty romance. Hav- 
ing obtained a position on one of the North 
River steamboats he met the beautiful 
daughter of the Captain, and after a brief 
courtship she became his wife, regardless 
of his humble home. When he brought her 
there to see his parents his mother invited 
the whole neighborhood to an evening re- 
ception and supper, which was a great suc- 
cess, notwithstanding the house contained 
but two square rooms, one above the oth- 
er, and two small bedrooms, the shop be- 
ing at the side of the lower room. At the 
time when told to us, many years since, 
it seemed a wonderful romance. It cer- 
tainly showed courage and resource wor- 
thy of a Minerva. 

36 



Just below the chestnut grove opposite, 
once stood what was called the Quimby 
House. William Quimby lived there for a 
time, probably built it, then removed to 
Purchase, Westchester County. In 1820 it 
was bought of William Quimby, with land 
belonging to it (one hundred and eleven 
acres), by Albro Akin. We continue to go 
down the steep incline at the foot of which 
stood the sawmill, in early days a great 
point of interest, and Hemlock Glen below 
it is a veritable treasure-house of memories 
both grave and tender, but as it was only 
the "home'* of the finny tribe, the wild birds 
and animal species generally, we turn to 
the east a little way before we come to the 
lane, bordered with apple trees, which 
leads to the home founded by Amos Irish in 
1801. 

It is best remembered by this gene- 
ration as that of David and Martha Irish. 
The quiet, pastoral spirit of the place al- 
ways seemed harmonious with their calmly 
ordered lives, a beautiful memoir of which 
has been written in such delicate lines, be- 
tween which one can easily read the noble 
purpose and faith which guided them, we 
would not venture to add to its complete- 
ness. 

37 



Returning to the highway and gaining 
the summit of the hill, we come to the 
home founded by David and Mary Wing, 
one of the four or five which date about the 
middle of the nineteenth century, well se- 
lected for its fine view over the valley and 
country round. Their eldest daughter was 
the wife of Edward Ryder, who for a time 
became a member of the family while con- 
ducting the services at Akin Hall, and fill- 
ing the oflBce of Librarian to the Associa- 
tion, at the same time doing some literary 
work. Only one daughter is left there, of 
its once numerous and happy household. 

A little farther south, on the east side of 
the highway, we find the home founded by 
Stephen Adams, who came from West- 
port, Conn., in 1794. His son Peter, elev- 
en years later in 1805, with his bride, Eliz- 
abeth Steadwell Adams, made their home 
on the west road a short distance from 
Wing's Corners. His grandson, George H. 
Adams, and family are still living at the old 
place. 

We have passed the Corners where 
stood the ancient home of Abraham Wing, 
descended from Jedediah, one of the pio- 
neer settlers of 1742. and "Aunt Ruth,*' 

S8 



his wife, so well and affectionately remem- 
bered. Its connection with the Hiram 
Jones Academy was so faithfully sketched 
for future generations in the Rev. Mr. Chi- 
chester's paper of last year, we pass on. 

Continuing westward we turn to the 
left through a lane to find the late home of 
Milan Stedwell, which he probably inher- 
ited as his grandfather, James, was an 
early settler, and acquired much land in 
that vicinity. From him Comfort Field 
purchased the old home about the year 
1823, which he first occupied with his 
wife, Polly, daughter of Samuel Crane. It 
is recorded that it was previously owned 
by John Toffey, who purchased it of Dr. 
Lot Tripp. It was removed across the 
road when Comfort Field built the modern 
house now standing on the site in 1843, in 
which many fine entertainments were giv- 
en for his only daughter, Charlotte, who 
later became the wife of Mr. Geo. K. Taber. 

As Reed Ferriss made his first home on 
Quaker Hill, it seems fitting to include his 
later one, built just below in 1771, a lane 
leading to it from the highway. Mrs. 
Sarah Kirby Wain, who spent her early 
life in the house (as it was then the home 

99 



of her parents) has kindly furnished a 
description of it. "Two large front rooms 
faced the west, one on either side of the 
hall, which was rather small, with a wind- 
ing stairway. The dining-room was long, 
extending the whole length of the two 
front rooms and hall, excepting a bedroom 
on the north side; a large kitchen joined 
this with a good sized pantry. Originally 
the dining-room and kitchen was one im- 
mense room, and it had a huge fireplace 
with seats running down both sides. A 
horse was required to bring the large back- 
log to the door, which was rolled across 
the floor to fill it. The front door was 
heavy and divided in the old Dutch style, 
with knocker and lock and key." We are 
immensely indebted to the Rev. Mr. Wil- 
son for securing evidence that located Gen- 
eral Washington's official headquarters, 
when here, in John Kane's house, a record 
of cash paid him for its use being found 
among his personal expenditures. As the 
commanding officer and staff usually make 
their headquarters apart from the official 
one, there can be no reason to doubt that 
they were invited to take up their residence 
in this house, or, as so often told by Molly 
Ferriss Akin (at that time living there), that 
she assisted her mother in hurried prepa- 

40 



rations to receive their distinguished guests, 
and that "Headquarters of General Wash- 
ington" was for the time put over the front 
door. 

From "Memorials of the Ferriss Family" 
we quote nearly the same account. "Mr. 
Ferriss was a substantial farmer; his house 
like his means, large and ample, was then 
considered the biggest thing for miles 
around, and toward which General Wash- 
ington naturally turned his steps. Mrs. 
Molly Ferriss Akin, mother of Judge Albro 
and Daniel Akin, used to tell the story of 
its occupancy in this way: 'One day two 
aides-de-camp rode up to the door inquir- 
ing for Mr. Ferriss to inform him that Gen- 
eral Washington would like to make his 
home there for a time, to which Mr. Ferriss 
consented, and to notify all intruders that 
this was the house of the Commander-in- 
chief, the officers fastened a paper to the 
front door reading thus: "Headquarters of 
General Washington." He and his Staff 
OflBcers came, and the southwest chamber 
was evermore known as W^ashington's 
Room, which he occupied during his resi- 
dence in Pawling.' " One of the officers 
gave her a delicate wineglass with a 
twisted stem as a souvenir of their stay, 
which was carefully preserved for ninety- 

41 



four years, but met its fate when the house 
built by her husband was burned in 1872. 
Mrs. Wain has preserved the large key to 
General Washington's room, which might 
properly serve to open an Historical Mu- 
seum on Quaker Hill. 

When Academy days had passed, and 
the stores of merchandise had been re- 
moved, the men turned more exclusively 
to agricultural pursuits, both as employ- 
ers and employed. Those who possessed 
much land, built tenant houses and were 
always solicitous and devoted to the best 
interests of the families of those who 
occupied them; in manner, not at all 
aristocratic, but essentially patriarchal. At 
that period there was no visible rallying 
point on Quaker Hill, except the Friends' 
Meeting House, on Sunday morning, yet 
there was still a bond of unity in the 
many customs religiously observed ; and we 
cannot think of the neighborhood being 
segregated, when we recall the beautiful 
service of watching with the sick and the 
dead, which was at that time considered 
an obligation that even quite young 
women could not refuse to acknowledge. 
We recall a winter, when in a home on 
the southern boundary of the Hill, a young 

42 



woman was confined to her bed for many 
weeks, and the widowed mother could 
no longer attend her day and night, of the 
young brother, with a little cutter (or 
"pung") as it was called, and the faithful 
old horse attached, coming around at 
twilight for a '* Watcher," and going over 
the icy snowbanks with the bright glitter- 
ing stars above and a courage born of ne- 
cessity, stimulated perhaps by the book un- 
der the arm, which was to keep us awake 
during the long hours before morning 
would dawn. 

Still another reminiscence looms out of 
the dim past, when two sisters went at 
night over the east hill to watch in a 
home where a daughter of the household 
had fallen on the "sleep that knows no 
waking." When the midnight hour came 
it was their duty to leave the cheerful fire, 
and with lighted candle traverse the dark, 
deserted rooms to the chamber of Death. 
The touch of that small brass knob, and 
the creak of that dcor, was graven on the 
susceptible memory with a thrill, that all 
the years have brought between could 
never ({uite efface. 

It would seem, at that time, as if each 
family had its own individual character and 
standard of living, and there was no desire 

43 



1 mi 



to live up to one's neighbors; yet, if trouble 
came to anyone, or there was need to rally 
for a good object, it was an affair for the 
whole neighborhood and all worked to- 
gether. Though the cares and burdens of 
Life may keep us at times apart, yet we 
may preserve the simple faith of our 
forefathers, that we are one neighborhood, 
always ready when needed. 

While there may be many points of view 
as to what will insure the success of the fu- 
ture of Quaker Hill, we may venture to say, 
while the inevitable progress of time will 
surely go on, its success will be, not in 
accomplishing special things to mark it, 
but in the spirit with which they are 
carried out, remembering that natural 
forces always work slowly and silently, 
and only as God is in them do they make 
permanent advancement. 

If to some there be a note of sadness in 
thus bringing back the years that are no 
more, and looking for the "Homes" that 
have vanished, I would say to them : 

"Not by the wayside ruins let us mourn. 
Who have the Eternal Towers for our appointed 
bourne," 



44 
























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